Scotland celebrates £138m regen fund

The £138m Scottish Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has helped 138 projects since 2014 and is estimated to have the potential to support over 400 community facilities and services and create more than 7,000 jobs.

The fund aims to support locally developed, place-based regeneration projects that involve local Scottish communities, the funding focuses on projects that involve areas that suffer from high levels of deprivation and disadvantage.

It’s been delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).

18 projects will receive funding in 2020, including the Torry Community Hub in Aberdeen and Possilpark community and family centre in Glasgow.

Communities secretary Aileen Campbell, said: ‘Since 2014, the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has supported over 100 projects working to improve our communities to drive local regeneration projects themselves and create sustainable towns and cities that work for them.

‘As well as helping to regenerate communities across Scotland, this investment is supporting local projects, businesses and enterprises that have the potential to create over 7,000 jobs.

Cllr Steven Heddle, COSLA’s environment and economy spokesperson said: ‘This fund continues to demonstrate the value of place-based, locally-led regeneration to communities in Scotland.

‘By placing community involvement and empowerment at the heart of regeneration policy, the funds aid Local Authorities in delivering positive social outcomes to Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities.’

In May last year, Scotland also announced a new £11.5m Investing in Communities Fund to help tackle disadvantage, poverty and inequality.

It’s hoped this fund will encourage community-led development and sustainable local solutions that address local issues, circumstances and aspirations, such as out-of-school provision, activities and workshops, community cafes and improved job opportunities.

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